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stands of fir (Abies spp.) were found at the highest elevations. Rolling rangeland and agricultural • <br />fields were in the north-central, extreme northwest, and southeast portions of the azea. <br />Bottomland habitat occurred along major creeks (Grassy Creek, Sage Creek, Dry Creek) and <br />their larger tributary draws. <br />Within the Seneca II permit azea, elevations range from 6,750 to over 8,100 feet ASL. <br />The terrain steadily slopes upwazd from west to east across the permit area and steep slopes occur <br />along two drainages in the north-central and southeast corner of the permit area. <br />Mountain brush is the predominant native habitat on the perniit area. Big sagebrush <br />(Artemisia tridentata) habitat occurs primazily in the southwest portion of the permit area. The <br />few aspen stands on the area are limited to north- and east-facing draws at upper elevations. <br />Bottomland is limited to narrow bands along larger drainages. Reclaimed areas are dominated by <br />grasslands, but also harbor some shrub-grasslands. <br />METHODS <br />BIG GAME • <br />One aerial survey for big game, primarily elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer <br />(Odocoileus hemionus), was conducted on 3 February 2005. The 89.5 mil survey area was <br />searched from a helicopter (Bell 47; Olathe Spray Service, Olathe, CO) by systematically flying <br />all drainages and adjoining slopes in the area. The survey was started in the northeast region of <br />the survey azea at 0810 h and completed in the west at 1515 h. <br />Two TWC biologists and the helicopter pilot looked for big game and other wildlife <br />during the survey. The locations of all animal sightings (including big game, mammalian <br />predators, and grouse) were plotted on I :24,000 topographic maps. Habitat associations were <br />also recorded for each observation. <br />UPLAND GAME BIRDS <br />In 1995, a Columbian sharp-tailed grouse lek (Seneca 1; NE'/< NW'/4 Section 2, TSN, <br />R87W) was discovered in reclamation at the Seneca II Mine by mine personnel (R. Karo, <br />Environmental Coordinator), A second lek (Seneca 2) was found in reclamation in SW'/o NW`/4 <br />Section 12 during 1998. In 2002, TWC biologists discovered a third lek (Seneca 3, SE'/o SE'/4 . <br />2005 Seneca II Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 2 <br />